What does a Ph.D.
Chemist have to do with the 135th anniversary of the Abraham Lincoln Funeral
Train? Well, he created it in miniature out of polyurethane castings, photo-etched
parts and other chemical techniques. Wayne Wesolowski from early on developed
an interest in using chemistry to build very accurate historical models. He's
since published over 145 articles, written four books with his wife Mary Cay
and appeared in two PBS videotapes on model making. Portions of one tape were
aired on Good Morning America as an example of video education. His historic
models are in major museums across the Midwest. "I think it is very important
for students and faculty in intense and highly technical areas to develop interests
in art, music, history or other realms that give a sense of release and creativity,"
said Wayne. Teaching chemistry since 1975 through 2003 at Benedictine University, Lisle, IL he lead a group of faculty, students and administrators for over four years in building a 1/12 (dollhouse) size replica of Abraham Lincoln's train. The exhibit recreates the gigantic funeral of the 16th President. It was twenty days from Lincoln's assassination until his interment in Springfield, IL. Twelve northern cities from Washington to Chicago and Springfield, IL held huge open coffin funerals for Lincoln with over one third of the entire population of the North personally attending.
The traveling exhibit is almost fifteen feet long and features a bunting-draped locomotive, the President's private car, the elaborate hearse and the honor guard carrying Lincoln's coffin. Almost all the models are scratchbuilt from specialty plastics. During summers Dr. Wesolowski converted his chemistry laboratory into a modeling shop. With the help of his son Steve, a Benedictine University Chemistry graduate, miniature patterns of almost all the parts were made in polystyrene, then silicone rubber molds created and finally multiple copies made in polyurethanes. There are thousands of parts in the models. Painted to look like metal or wood most of the model is polyurethane. Masters were also made by photo etching. A summer school class exposed brass sheets coated with organic photoresists in the sun then etched them in ferric chloride. A range of flexible adhesives, sealants and a variety of paints were used for the traveling exhibit. Good organic chemistry went to help carry Mr. Lincoln.
Dr. Wesolowski sees
the exhibit as both interesting history and a good chemistry teaching tool .
. . "Better things in miniature through Chemistry." The exhibit is currently on display at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois.